You Tell Me

       Today I've had my fair share of disappointments. I was nominated from teachers, counselors, admin, etc., for NSLC. For all of you who don't know what that is, it's the National Student Leaderhsip Conference. It's of a pretty big deal.
#1 Let Down of the day. I can't go. No money, no time, no patience.
       I've got anxiety bad, but I was willing to fight through this to go to Washington, or New York. But my parents wasted no time giving me a straight no. What they say is "You're the third Fike to get an invitation from them. It's not that big of a deal. You can't go. You'll just keep getting more, don't worry bout it." UH....excuse me?
        What about this am I supposed to learn from? You tell me.

      
       

Micro-Expression

ARTIST: Jamie Fike

What To Say When People Ask Why You're Still Single

1. Don’t answer, just clutch your large copy of Pride and Prejudice and begin wailing. I find wailing always works quite well.
2. Let everybody know how much sex you are having at bars, inside the bathrooms covered in Dial soap and the body scent of somebody who has lost their way.
3. Tell them how terrible your personality is, you even use the word ‘irregardless’ and have no idea the difference between then and than.
4. Distract them by causing physical pain, I heard a pinch to the armpit while singing “Your Song” is something I’ve done.
5. I’m happy, who’s asking? Kind of like a mob boss in something where mob bosses have cigars in their mouths and a bit threatening

By: A. Nugent

New Year

Everyone starts the new year off with change. Some good, some bad. For example: New clothes, accessories, hair, make-up, friends, etc. Does this necessarily mean, it's a new you?

WARNING: this may shock you

Just because you slap a mask on that worn out face does not mean it's not there. The baggage of the year before will travel with you past the border of new and old. But, I will let you in on a secret. The more you try to push the baggage away the more tired and worn out you get. Imagine your past year's events. Now throw them all into a suitcase. Can you make it budge? No. Now imagine it coming at you full speed. Nowhere to run. What's the best thing to do?              Embrace it
Life becomes a breeze when you stop letting the baggage of old worries bring you down. Hold on tight and go for a ride. It really will surprise you, what you can do when there is nothing holding you back.

I Am Thankful.

    Today is Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving is a day filled with shopping, turkey sandwiches, and scraps of leftover pumpkin pie. This year took an unexpected turn. I now spend my day after Thanksgiving at my aunt's house deciding whether or not I should step foot in my house or not.
   Thanksgiving was a day with family, and friends. Food and drinks. But most importantly, it was a day filled with thanks. I love my family and I am grateful for everything I've been given. Most people need to work for their belongings, and privileges. Luckily, I don't have to. My family is not rich, but we are not poor. I have material things, and very thankful.
   My family disagrees. They don't really think about the fact that we have a roof over our heads, food on our table, and running water. It's not enough. Thanksgiving was not about giving thanks this year for my family. They fought about elementary things, they threw a pity party because "no one listened to them, no one cared about them".
   Nevertheless, I'm still thankful I had family willing to take me in, a family who loves me. Whether I want to be a part of this family or not, they want me to be. And that's what I am thankful for.

Art Is. . .

Art Is. . .

Art is inspirational. It inspires one to step out of their comfort zone and take a look on the side of life they have never experienced. Art inspires me to be calm-contrary to what most people think. I don’t draw, or paint, or sculpt for anyone, but myself. I look back on my work-like I would with my writing-and I think “if anyone saw this, they would then be able to see straight through me”.

It is not through the object of my work in which conveys secrets of mine, it is through the style, the colors, the direction of the stroke. It is in every detail that was put into the piece, the hard work, and persistence-or lack thereof-that one can see me.

For this reason, art is therapeutic. My stress and worries, that pull me down under a certain level of freedom and happiness, are thrown into my art. It relieves me of my responsibilities and pulls me in. Into a parallel universe in which I can be myself, be who I think I am, be whatever I fancy at the time. In this parallel universe, there is no homework or chores that I must get done. There is no past, no future, only the present. There is no drama, or conflicts. There is nothing and no one, but me, my art, and my supplies.

Art is everything to me. Without it, I can’t imagine a world. My life without art is a heart without blood. Nothing.